Page 82 of Exposed

“Yeah. Okay,” Noah shakes out his arms, rolls his neck from side to side, then opens his arms to take Simon. “I’ve got this.”

“Cradle his head here, and hold his body to yours.” Deacon shows him, and Noah gently pulls Simon to his body and rests Simon’s head on his chest.His large hand engulfs Simon’s back.

“There ya go,” Deacon encourages.

“This is…oh my gosh,” Hope fans her face and starts crying. “This is beautiful.” Hope’s eyes practically turn to bouncing hearts while she watches her husband hold my son.

“He likes you, Noah,” I grin.

“He does, doesn’t he?” Noah’s normally tense mouth tips up in a grin. Soon enough, Hope and Noah will be up all hours of the night with a little one.

Pepper is unusually quiet, and with everyone around, it’s hard to have a private conversation with her.

I pull her to my bedroom, not even bothering to makean excuse for why I need her. “Why are you quiet today?” I ask.

“I don’t want the fact that I’m a fugitive to interfere with your case with Simon,” she says softly. “We're back to square one with finding a hacker who can help.”

“I’ll find the best hacker. We’re going to find out who framed you, then turn the evidence into the police.” I squeeze the back of her neck and pull her in for a kiss on her forehead. “I’m not leaving you behind, Pepper.”

She’s felt left behind by those who were supposed to protect her, but I need her to know that’s not me. It may be foolish thinking, but she seems like she’s tired of being alone. I know I am, that’s for damn sure. We’re two kindred spirits who found each other at the right time, and I want her to be mine.

“Thanks, Matt,” she looks into my eyes like I’m her knight in shining armor.

“Don’t thank me. You’ve done the hard work. You got away and are working to clear your name. I’m just a wing man,” I give her a soft smile.

I mean it. I’m honored to be the one who helps her discover her power. She’s a strong force to be reckoned with. I want to be the one who helps her realize her wings are big enough to soar as high as she wants.

“Okay, here’s the plan,” Deacon claps his hands together when we get to the living room.

“We get a private investigator to follow the Trumans. There’s nothing illegal about watching someone. We’ll see if anything in their daily lives is cause for concern or something your lawyer can use against them in court,” Noah explains.

“I’ll research a reputable one,” I say. Noah hands Simon back to me, and Simon happily pats my face.

“Already found one. She has the highest ratings for the Miami Metro area,” Noah says.

This guy means business. When I met him two years ago, he hardly spoke to me. He and Hope have visited several times in the last couple of years since her parents live here, and we’ve spent time together. I really like the guy. He’s been to hell and back, and climbed out with the help of his friends, family and therapy. I’m thankful he considers me part of his inner circle.

Deacon’s arms are crossed over his chest as he studies my open laptop screen. “There’s a hacker on here who doesn’t actually write messages, but people talk about her. She goes by Merrit. One thread said we have to post that we’d like to work with her, and she’ll find a way to contact us.”

“Sounds like we’re trying to conjure up a ghost,” Shyla shivers as she talks.

She and Deacon stayed with me last year for a bit when they were being stalked. I instantly connected with Deacon when I met him. If you looked up the word “passionate” in the dictionary, I’m pretty sure his photo would be there. He’s intensely loyal to his friends and family, and super protective if any of them are threatened.

“Maybe that’s better. She’s a ghost who flies under the radar,” Hope says.

“It can’t hurt to contact her. I’ll send a message.” I type in the chat box that I want Merrit to contact us.

“Now we wait. Again,” Pepper sighs.

33

I SEE YOU

PEPPER

It’s been a couple of days since Matt’s friends went back to Colorado, and I’m laying low until we find out who framed me.

Matt’s been busy working, so Simon and I are chilling at the house. When I get his formula for his afternoon feeding, I use all that we have left. I thought we had another container, but I was wrong. With Matt shooting a wedding today, I’ll have to go buy more.

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